Slide trombone



F. A. BUESCHER SLIDE Tnblonz Filed'oct. 27. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INI/ENTOR. zzec ATTORNEY.

Oct- 25 1927 F. A. faul-:semenA SLIDE TROIBONE Filed Oct. 27, '1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. zmafce ATTORNEY.

Panarea on. 2s, 1927.

FERDINAND n. Busseniin, oir'niiiiranfr, rumana,

sninn TROMBONE.'

llpplcation 'filed October 2'?, 1926. Serial Nailllj.-

This invention relates to slide trombones, Vmore particularly to an improvement upon the slide trombone forming the subject matter of my application Serial No. 3,820, filed January 25, 1925, and a slide trombone construction, in accordance with this invention, not only embodies the objects and advantages, such as the balancing of the slide wherebv a freemoveinent and better action of the instrument is obtained `and the substantial immunization of the slide from inoperativeness due to the denting of an outer tube is had, possessed by thefslide trombone construction disclosed in the application aforesaid, but has for its further object to provide, in va 'manner as hereinafter set forth, a slide trombone including removable bearings for and carried by the slide for the expeditious substituting of new bearings to replace worn out bearingswithout the necessity ofi'sending the instrument to the factory.`

A further object ofthe invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, means associated with the slide bean ings for lubricating the pistonsduring the reciprocation of the slide.

4Further obfects of the invention are to provide, 'in a. manner as hereinafter set forth, a Vslide trombone embodying the objects and advantages aforesaid and lwhich is simple. in its constriu-,tion and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently assembled, and comparatively mei-:pensive to manufacture.

lf-,liththe foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consistsof the novel construction, combination and arrangementof parts as 4hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an en'ibodii nient of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

lfn the drawings wherein like refer` ence characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views: y

Figure l isa fragmentary view, in side eleva-tion, of a slide trombone in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a fragment-ary view, in longitudinal section, of the form Vof slide tromeating carrier employed in the form of slide trombone illustrated in Figure Il.. l

As is well known, a slide trombone includes ali-shaped tubular slide having the side tubes thereof sliding upon a pairof tubular pistons, and these latter forming in connection `with the slide, `an air pipe ofy variable. length. The pistons enter the inner ends of theV side tubes of` the slide; The loweror outer ends of the side tubes aiecon iiected together by an end tube provided with a water valve. valve are notshown.

The end tube and water Referring` to Figures, l, 2 andlof the drawings, the side tubes of the slide are inf dicated at l and 2 and' lwhich are connected adjacent their inner `ends by the braces 3 and Lhas is well known in tromboneslide constructions. The tubular pistons are indicated at 5 and t and telescope within. the tubesl and 2. y

is is well known, it is essential that a substantially fluid' tight seal be maintained between the piston and tubes throughout the range ofinovement of the slide, and this is usually accomplished by enlarging the di arneter of the pistons for a considerable distance adjacent their innerends, and the surfaces of said enlarged portions coactwit-hthe inner walls of the tubespand constitute bearings, which by reason of their length effect the sealing of the jointbetween the piston and tubes. The pistons, with the eX- ception of their bearing surfaces are or" less diameter than the tubes in V,which they re;

ciprocate, thereby providing a slightA annular clearance space between them. The walls of t-lie tubes l and 2 are made quite thin so as to contribute to the lightness of the slide and ease in operation. This renders the tubes easily dented, even when carefully handled. A dent in one of the tubes, no matter how slight, renders the trombone inoperative, for the bearing cannot pass the dented portion and the slide sticks. Or if the damage be so minute as to permit forcing of the bearing past the dented portion, the seal becomes broken and the toneof the instrument impaired.

The present invention removes entirely this draw-back, by omitting altogether the enlargedV bearing surfaces or stockings at the Vends ofthe pistons, leaving the pistons of uniform diameter throughout their entire lengths and maintaining between them and the tubes, within which theyl telescope, a uniformy clearing space. Ordinary denting of the side tubes willltherefore have no effect rupon the action of the instrument since the displaced metal is'accommodated within said clearing space. An extraordinary denting which may cause the metal of the tube to press against the pistons merely produces an added friction inthe operationof the slide, but'has no effect upon the seal between the piston and tubes, therefore the Y quality of theVv tone of the instrument remains unimpairedl In lieu of the enlarged bearing surfaces at the ends of the pistons, the present inve-nti'on providessimilar surfaces in the form of f constrictions inthe internal diameter of the tubes 1 and 2, and said constrictions are provided bysleeves 7 and 8, which are inserted within the inne-r ends of the tubes 1 and 2, occupy the clearance space and bear against the` outer surfaces of the' pistons, rlhe sleeves have a tight friction fit within the tubes, and further the tubes and sleeves to the tubes, whereby the sleeves are detachably secured in positionv and can be expeditiously removed to replace wornont bearings Without the use of sending the instrumentir to the factory.

The sleeve 7, as well as the sleeve 8, consists of a bot y portion 9 having the inner diameter thereof uniform throuohout and of a diameter to have the inner lace of the sleeve providey a sliding fit with the periphery of a piston. The sleeve is so positioned rela.- tive to the tube that when the sleeve is in operative position, that is to say providing a bearing for the slide, the sleeve projects slightly from the inner end of the tube. The sleeve is formed on its outer face, at that end which projects from the inner end of the tube, with an annular head 10 which, when -the sleeve is mounted in the tube, abuts against the inner end edge of the tube. The head acts as a stop to limit the extent in whichthe sleeve is positioned in the tube. The inner face of the tube, at the inner end thereof, is provided with threads, inl dicated at 11, and which are adapted to be engaged by threads 12 formed on they outer face of the sleeve in proximity to the head lVhen the sleeve is mounted in the tube, or

rather when the sleeve is connected to the tube, the head is flush with the outer face of they tube.

rihe disposition of the sleeves to provide bearings at the ends of the tubes, not only minimize the chance of the instrument becoming inoperative through the denting of the slides, but italso improves the balance of the slide, placing the bearings directly above the point of support of the slide, so that vgiven angular moven'ient of the hands of the player with respect to the axis of the pistons, has less bearing efect'upon the relatively reciprocating parts, than in cases where the bearings are remote fromr the point ot' support. Thus a free moven'ient anda better action of the` trombone is se-v cured and the balance of the slide is improved by massing the metal above the point of support.

Generally trombones are lubricated prior to the playing of the instrument, by withdrawing the pistons and applying a few` dropsof lubricating oil to the stockings thereon.. Heretofore it has been impossible to satisfactorily lubricate such-an instrument while it is being played. A means whereby thepistons can be efficiently lubricated,- while the instrumentis being played, is disclosed in Figures 4l to 7 inclusive, and by reference thereto, the sleeves whichprovided the bearings are indicated at 1,15,the side tubes of the slide at 1G, 17 the pistons at 18, 19.,.and .the braces at 20 and 21. The inner diameter of each ofthe sleeves 14, 15 is uniform throughout. Each sleeve comprises a body portion 22, a head formed of an outer part 25 and an inner part 24. The outer part 23 is of greater outer diameter than the inner part 2% thereby providing a4 shoulder 25. The outer diameter of the part 2l is greater than the outer diameter of the body portion rl`he periphery of the outer part 23 is lnurled as at 2G. rlhe periphery of the inner part 24 is threaded throughout as at 27. The inner end of the inner part 2a provides a shoulder 28. The body portion 22 is provided throughout with spaced openings 29 for the passage of lubricant to a piston. The inner face of a tube 16 or 17, at the inner end thereof, is formed with threads 30 which engage with the threads 27 for detachably securing a sleeve to the tube. A lubricant carrier is indicated at 31 and which is of tubular form and constructed of fabric possessing an absorbent characteristic. Tle carrier 3l is impregnated with a lubricant, positioned upon the body portion 22 and confined between the outer face of the body portion 22 and the inner face of a. tube 16 0r17.` The carrier 31 is of the same length 1 as the possesses a compressible characteristic so` that it will be tightly secured between a tube 16 or 17 and the outer Jface of the body portion 22. The inner face of the sleeve has a snug sliding fit with the outer face of a piston. The foregoing construction and arrangement of elements permits ot' the lubricating of the piston during the use of the instrument.

In both forms shown the inner end terminal portion of each side tube of the slide comprises a paii` ot outer tubular members 31, 32, the latter being ot" greaterflength than the former. Arranged within the members 31, 32l as well as being secured to the inner l'ace of the member 31 is a 'tubular member 33. The inner end of the member vis provided with threads which engage with tlie'threads of a bearingsleeve.

ln the ormshown` in Figure 1, each side tube of a slide includes a tubular member 34, which is xedly secured to the inner taceA ot the tubular member 32 and extends therefrom.

nthe 'lorm shown in Figure 4 each side tube o'tthe slide includes a tubular member 35, which has a band 36 secured to the pe;- riphery thereof, and said band 36 is. tixedly secured to the inner face of the tubular inembeiI 32.

1n the form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the clearance between` the pistons and the inner :taces'oi' the side tubes of the slide is indicated at 37, and in Figure 4 the clearance between a piston and each side tube off the slide, is indicated at 38.

The braces 3 and 4 are adjustably connectcdV together, as at V39.` The brace 3 is ixedly secured to the tubular members 31 and this statement applies to the brace 20. The brace 4 is lixedly secured to the tubular members 32 and this statement applies to the brace 21. T he braces and 21 are adjustably connected together as at 40. The adjustably connecting together ot each pair of braces provides ior lengthening` the side tubes of a slide to vary the tune ot' the instrument. 1n both iiorins as shown, the casings 41 'for the pistons are provided with stops 42 `for limiting theinward movement oit the slide. The stops 42 are constructed t`o overlap the heads ot' the sleeves when said heads abut against the stops.. i ing means 43 are provided within the stops 42.

1U hen the sleeves are mounted in the side tubes ot `the slide, or rathery secured to said tubes, the heads thereoi' are flush with the outer tace ot the tubular members 31.

Figures 1 and 2.

Ytubes and sleeves together.

` Cushion- In the forni shown in Figure lathe-bear-A ingsl are removable whereby new bearingscan be vfurnished to replace worn out bearings without the use of sending the instru-` inentjto the factory. rlhe bearings shown in Figure 4 are detachably secured inV position in the same manner as the bearings shown in he diii'erence between the construction shown in Figure 4 with respect to that shown in Figure 2, is that the form shown in Figure 4 is provided with the lubricant carrier and the sleeves are peritorated ifor the passage ot the lubricant to the pistons.

1t isthought that 'the many advantages ,o'l a slide trombone,.in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment o1 the invention is as illustrated and described, yet itfisto" be understood that changes in the details ot' construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention n as claimed.

lfVhat 1 claim is:

1.- In a trombone, a slide-con'iprising side tubes', piston-s ot the saine cross sectional diameter throughout telescoping within said tubes", and sleeves positioned within the inner terminal portions otl said tubes and constituting bearings between the pistons and the tubes, said sleeves and tubes having interengaging means for detachably securing the 2. 1n atrombone, a slide comprising side tubes, pistons of the same cross sectional'diameter throughout telescoping withinsaid tubes, 'and sleeves, each sleeve having a portion of its length extending into each tube at theinner end terminal portion thereotl and constituting a bearing between a piston and a tube, saidI sleeves adjacent and iii pioximity to their outer ends provided with 'threads engaging in the inner 'taces `ot the tubes tor detacliably securing the sleeves and the tubes together.

ing ot a tubular member adapted to be rf `niovably positioned in each terminal port-ion of the trombone slide and snugly embracing the piston telescoping in the slide, and va lu-` bricating means or'fthe piston interposed between said member and the inner tace ot a llU idf;

terminal portion of the slide, said means positionedr adjacent one end ofl said member.

G. A slide trombonesin accordance with claim 5, the providing' ofsaid member at its outer end with. a head positioned exterioi'ly of a terminal portion in which. said member is positioned and the further providing of said member on its periphery, ad.- jacent said head, with threads for` engagement in-the inner face of the terminal portion in which the member is positionedto detaeliably secure said member to the slide.

7. In a slide trombone, a pair of removable slide bearings, each of said bearings of tubular form and adapted to be positioned for a portion ofthe length thereof in the inner end terminal portion of a side tubeV of the slide, each of said bearings having the inner diameter thereof to provide for a snug sliding lit therebetween and a piston telescoping in a side tube.

8. In a slide trombone in accordance with claim 7, the providing of the outer .periphery of said bearings with means engaging in the inner facesl of` the tubes for detachably connecting the bearings to thev tubes.

9. In a slide trombone in accordance with claim 7, means interposed between the bearings and the inner faces .of the tubes for supplying lubricant to the pistons telescoping in the slides, said means having one end thereof arranged adjacent one end of the bearings. .n

10. Ina trombone, a slide including side tubes, pistons of the same cross sectional kdiameter 1 throughout telescoping within the slide, removable sleeves constituting bearings for the slide, said sleeves having a poi'- tion theieof extending within and removably secured to the inner terminal portions of said side tubes and further having the inner diameter thereofsuch to provide a sliding snug fit with the periphery of said pistons, said tubes and the portions of the sleeves extending therein interengaging with each other.

11. In a trombone, a slide including side tubes, pistons of the saine cross sectional diameter throughout telescoping within. the slide, removable sleeves constituting bearings for the slide, said sleeves having a portion thereof extending within and removably secured to the inner terminal portions of said side tubes and further hav-ing the` `inner diameter thereof such to provide a sliding snug fit with the periphery of said pistons, said tubes and the portions of the sleeves extending therein' interengaging with each other,l and means Vinterposed between the tubes and the inwardly extending portions of the sleeves forlubricating the pistons.

12. In a trombonea slide Comprisingv tubes, pistons telescoping therein, sleeves constituting bearings for the pistons, said sleeves .extending within andv detachably secured within and to the inner terminal poi'- tions ofsaid tubesA and having. the inner with the rinner faces of the tubes to detach` ablyvsecure they sleeves and tub-es together, andsaid sleeves having another lportion of the length. thereof arranged exteiiorly Lof the.

tubes and`4 ofl greater outer' diameter than the portion thereof exten ding into thetubes.

14.,In a` trombone. ar slide comprising tubes, pistons of the same cross sectional diameter throughout telescopingwithin the tubes and free of contact with these. latter.

sleeves `extending' into the inner terminal` portions of said tubes and constituting bear.- ings for the pistons, said sleeves having a portion of. the length thereof interengaging with the inner faces of the tubes to detach? ably secure the sleeves and tubesl together, said sleeves having another portion of the length thereof arranged exteriorlv of the tubes and of greater outer diameter than the portion thereof extending into thetubes` andV cushioning means carried by the pistons and adapted to be impacted by that part ot'- the sleeve of greatest outer diameter.

15. A bearing for -a trombone slide comprising a tubular member of uniform inner diameter.y said member having parts of its length of different outer diameters therebyr providing a peripheral shoulder, that part of `said member of greatest outer diameter being of less length than that part of said member of smallest outer diameter.

16. A bearing` for a, trombone slide comprising a tubular member having the inner diameter thereof uniform and such to provide a. snug sliding fit with a piston of the trombone, said member having parts of different. outer diameters thereby providing a peripheral shoulder. that part of greatest outer diameter being of less length than the part of smallest outer diameter yand the said partof smallestout-er diameter provided with peripheral threads in proximity to the rpart of greatest outer diameter. y

17. In a` trombone, a slide comprising tubes. pistons of the saine cross sectional diameter throughout telescoping within the tubes and free of contact with these-latter,

sleeves extending for a portion of their length into the inner terminal portions of said tubes and constituting bearings for the pisgreater thickness .than the Vportion lthereof tone, said sleeves having a. portion of the .extending into the tubes, and means Within length thereof interengaging with the inner the tube and mounted on the sleeves for l0 faces of the tubes to d-etaehnbly secure the lubricating the pistons.

sleeves and tubes together, said sleeves hav- In testimony whereof, I affix my signaing another portion of the length thereof ture hereto.4

arranged exterorly of the tubes and ot FERDINAND A. BUESCHER. 

